Friday, December 30, 2011

{BIRTHDAY} My Mom's 60th - Birthday Breakfast

My Mom's birthday is Dec. 26th. We've always tried to make her feel special on her birthday but Christmas chaos can sometimes take over. This year was a big year so we planned to make it special. Two of my sisters and I were in Seattle for Christmas so it was just 5 of us for Christmas and birthday celebrations.
We started with breakfast - our favorite meal. Jane made her waffles, which are the best! Egan had everyone in the family make a card and she taped them to the wall in the dining room.
Going with our theme "You're Sparkly and Wise" we bought her something sparkly to wear all day: earrings from Anthropologie.
After breakfast we sat around while she opened presents. I think my dad wrapped 60 gifts, so sweet. My siblings and I gifted her a photo book with pictures from our family reunion at Bear Lake. We also got her the newest Kinfolk magazine.
We spent the rest of the morning on an "urban hike" in Seattle, going to Pho for lunch and a movie in the afternoon.
pictures from her birthday dinner to come..
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Tuesday, December 27, 2011

{PARTY} New Years Eve!

It sounds really appealing to have a low key New Years Eve (that's not happening for me this year). If I was throwing a NYE party I'd want a small group (8-12 people). We'd talk at table while eating fondue. Then play a rowdy game of Pictionary. And just to mix things up I'd use an unexpected New Years color scheme.

2012 NYE party

Thursday, December 22, 2011

{HOLIDAY} Christmas Surprise Balls

10 surprise balls completed! Just in time for Christmas. Every Christmas Eve my nieces and nephews unravel a surprise ball. It's such a fun tradition. The kids geek for them!
I love searching for the treasures to go inside. Watches (and a pair of sunglasses for one) for the boys and bracelets for the girls were put in the center. Other goods were fake mustaches, mini hello kitty cameras, stickers, candy, money, etc. And I couldn't resist that tiny water color set! I'll take anything in size mini.

For the outside I added a glittery tree gift tag from target and added googly eyes (they make everything cooler). Wish I could be there when they open the surprise balls this year, I may have to video chat them in.
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Wednesday, December 21, 2011

{HOLIDAY} Girls Night/ Holiday Style

My friend Shauna hosted a girls night last week. We arrived at her house to homemade tortilla soup, veggie dip (to die for!) with a lovely assortment of veggies, and homemade rolls. So dinner was delicious! After dinner we spent a couple hours decorating sugar cookies. They are the prettiest cookies I've ever decorated. It was fun to learn a new technique. Shauna's house was cozy and she didn't leave out a detail. I loved it!
After decorating cookies we piled in the car and went to see a Christmas light display in her neighborhood. This house means business. They have their own radio station and the lights are set to the music. Incredible.
See her post about the party here.
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Tuesday, December 20, 2011

{HOLIDAY} Sunday Dinner with Friends

My friend/roommate Cami and I hosted a Sunday dinner at our house. I like having my house full of good friends enjoying a tasty meal. And the Christmas season just adds to the coziness, which I love.
The Menu:
Flank Steak
Rotisseroe Chicken
Cornucopia Salad
Rolls
Asparagus
Steamed Green Beans and Carrots
Mashed Potatoes
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Cami just busted out a floral arrangement like it was no big deal!
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(thanks for iphone pics shauna)

Monday, December 19, 2011

{PARTY} Christmas Cruise

I help with the Activities at my church. For our Christmas party this year we were invited by another ward to do a Christmas Cruise in Newport. It was a huge success. Over 200 people came! The catered food was delicious and there were 3 floors that people could spread out and find a place to sit and eat with friends. The 2nd floor there was a photo booth set up. And the bottom level turned into the dance party after dinner.
We also had a professional photographer come and take pictures of the party. It was so nice to have someone capture the event and all the people that came! He emailed us these images and even added a border! So festive :)

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(look at me snooping over this girls shoulder. and i don't even know her!!)
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Sunday, December 18, 2011

{RECIPE} Gingerbread Men

I made gingerbread men and delivered packages of them to friends last week. I wish I had had enough red gum drops for the pant buttons but most of them ended up with a snow flake sprinkle. These cookies are easy! And so soft and delicious.

Holly’s Gingerbread Boys with Chocolate Pants

1 cup shortening

1 cup sugar

1 cup molasses

1 egg

4 ½ cups flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. powdered ginger

1 tsp. baking powder

½ tsp. cinnamon

½ tsp. salt

Cream shortening and sugar. Stir in molasses and egg. Mix in remaining ingredients. Cover. Chill about an hour.

On a floured board roll ¼ inch thick and cut with small size gingerbread men cutters. Place on parchment on a baking sheet and bake at 375 for 5-8 minutes. Cool on a rack.

Dip in melted chocolate chips (melt barely, and carefully in microwave—chocolate burns easily. Could also use dipping chocolate etc.)


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Friday, December 9, 2011

{HOLIDAY} Christmas Favorites Party 2011

One of many reasons I hate living far away from my girlfriends is missing out on our traditions, favorites party being one of them. Jane posted about the Christmas Favorites party that they had last week. Here are some pics:
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